Marseille lure PSG into Velodrome cauldron

Posted
March 07, 2003 13:23:00

Marseille lure arch-rival's Paris Saint Germain into their lair at the Velodrome stadium Sunday as the hosts bid to regain the top spot in the French first division.

PSG are going for a hat-trick of wins against Marseille - 3-0 in the league and 2-1 after penalties in the French Cup - both of which threw lifelines to the side from the capital who are struggling in eighth position.

The visitors will nevertheless have their work cut out in the steamy atmosphere of their hosts' notorious stadium, where they have not won in 15 years.

Marseille need to win if they are to reclaim the lead from Monaco, who host fourth-placed Bordeaux. Both teams have 52 points with the side coached by Didier Deschamps dislodging their southern rivals last week on goal difference.

Deschamps saw his on-form side coast to as 5-0 drubbing of Gueugnon in the French League Cup on Wednesday - a result which means Marseille and Monaco could face each other in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile PSG coach Luis Fernandez, whose side lag ten points behind in the league, dismissed suggestions that the high-risk encounter at the Velodrome would be different from any other league game.

"I'm not playing the championship against Marseille but against 18 other teams," insisted Fernandez.

Emotions always run high when the two sides meet and Fernandez has already had to fight off allegations that he insulted Marseille midfielder Brahim Hemdani - claims that were supported by coach Alain Perrin and captain Frank Leboeuf - after their French Cup match last January.

"I'm not bothered about what was said during our last confrontation. I grew up in a tough neighbourhood and it's not there (Marseille) that I'm going to be afraid," warned Fernandez.

The trip to Marseille might even be a welcome relief for the PSG coach who suffered the wrath of the home fans in the Parc des Princes as the side laboured to a 4-2 over lowly Troyes last week.

A third win over their arch-rivals Marseille would help appease the home fans and salvage some of Fernandez's reputation as a tactical wizard.

And this time he will be counting on Brazilian Ronaldinho, whom he avoided sending out for a full 90 minutes in the Velodrome last season, to go out and play his part.

Reigning champions Lyon, in third position four points off the leading duo, are still very much in the chase and host struggling Corsican side Ajaccio on the back of convincing wins against Rennes and away to Auxerre.

Brazilian striker Sonny Anderson, who has scored eight goals this season, returns to the Lyon bench after nearly three months sidelined with injury. And, he still believes Lyon are favourties to defend their title.

"I think that our mindset is identical as this time last year, particularly after the Auxerre match," said the Brazilian.

"We're at a stage in the championship where we can't afford to lose many points. We're third and have to carry through the momentum we've had from the last two matches.

"There are still nine games left and we have to win the maximum to claim a European qualification - and why not the title."

At the bottom of the table tailenders Troyes, with 26 points from 29 games, host third-from-bottom Montpellier, on 27 points, as both sides fight to stay in the top flight next season.